Concrete form cleaning machine



May 27, 1958 s. E. CARLSTROM CONCRETE FORM CLEANING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 9, 1957 Sumner E. Gar/strum IN V EN TOR.

BY Zfi; am

May 27, 1958 s. E. CARLSTROM 2,835,909

CONCRETE FORM CLEANING MACHINE Filed Sept. 9, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Sumner E. Curls/ram V, H g INV.ENT0R- in W BY W May 27, 1958 s. E. CARLSTROM CONCRETE FORM CLEANING MACHINE Filed Sept. 9, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet I5 Sumner E. Curls/ram INVEN TOR.

United States Patent Q CONCRETE FORM CLEANING MACHINE Sumner E. Carlstrom, Mankato, Minn. Application September 9, 1957, Serial No. 682,835

2 Claims. (Cl. 15-77) This invention relates in general to new and useful improvements in cleaning machines, and more specifically to an improved machine for cleaning concrete forms.

In order to form smooth wall construction, concrete forms of the panel type are used. However, during the use of these panels there is a slight tendency for the concrete to stick to the panel. Also, in between jobs, the panel type forms become slightly rusty and as a result there is a tendency for the concrete to adhere thereto when used. It is therefore necessary that the forms be periodically cleaned in order that excessive sticking of the concrete to the panel type forms is pre vented and thus a smooth wall surface is formed with the panel type forms.

It is therefore the primary object of this invention to provide an improved cleaning machine for. forms, the cleaning machine being of such a nature whereby panel type concrete forms may be inserted in the machine and will be automatically advanced through the machine with the face of the form and one edge thereof being automatically cleaned.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved cleaning machine for concrete forms, the cleaning machine including a vertical guide for receiving concrete forms to be cleaned, the vertical guide having associated therewith a horizontal brush for cleaning the lower edge of a form, and vertically disposed brush means for engaging the face of a panel type form whereby both the face of the form and an edge thereof is cleaned when passed through the machine.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved cleaning machine for concrete forms, the cleaning machine being of an extremely simple construction and being so formed whereby it is merely necessary to start the concrete forms into the machine after which they are automatically advanced through the machine and cleaned during their passage through the machine.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the concrete form cleaning machine which is the subject of this invention and shows a concrete form of the panel type positioned therein and in the process of being cleaned;

Figure 2 is a front elevational view of the concrete form cleaning machine of Figure 1 with the form being removed therefrom and showing further the details of the cleaning machine;

Figure 3 is a top plan view of the cleaning machine and shows further the details of the machine including the details of the guide for guiding forms through the machine;

Figure 4 is an end view of the cleaning machine;

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of a portion of the guide and shows the details of vertically disposed first brush means for cleaning the face of a panel type form;

Figure 6 is an enlarged transverse sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 6-6 of Figure 1 and shows the details of a roller unit which forms the bottom of the guide;

Figure '7 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 7-7 of Figure 4 and shows further the details of the guide including the arrangement of the first brush means carried by the guide; and

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 8-8 of Figure 5 and shows further the details of the mounting of the first brush means.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, it. will be seen that the cleaning machine, which is the subject of this invention, is referred to in general by the reference numeral it). The cleaning machine all includes a support ing frame which is referred to in general by the reference numeral The supporting frame 12 includes leg assemblies 14 and 16 disposed at opposite ends thereof. The leg assemblies includes a front. leg 18, and a rear leg 20. The legs 18 and 2@ have their upper ends connected together by a transverse frame member 22. it is to be noted that the legs 18 and 20 diverge downwardly and have lower portions thereof connected together by a transverse frame member 24.

The leg assembly is: is formed of a front leg 26 and a rear leg 23. The upper ends of the legs 26 and 28 are connected together by a transverse frame member 3%. The legs 26 and 28 diverge downwardly from the frame member 3i and have lower portions thereof connected together by a lower transverse frame member 32.

T he forward ends of the transverse frame members 3% and 32 are connected together by a forward frame rail 34. The rear ends of the frame members 22 and 3% are connected together by a rear frame rail 36. The leg 1?; is braced relatively to the frame rail by means of a diagonal brace 38. The leg 26 is braced with respect to the frame rail Ed by means of diagonal brace A similar diagonal brace 42 braces the leg 26 with respect to the frame rail 36. A fourth diagonal brace t4 braces the leg 28 with respect to the frame rail 36. nding between intermediate portions of the frame rails u and 36 are transverse frame members 46 and 48.

lviounted on the supporting frame 12 is an upright guide which is referred to in general by the reference numeral The bottom of the guide 50 is formed by a roller unit which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 52. As is best shown in Figure 3, the roller unit 52 includes a pair of transversely spaced, longitudinally extending frame members 54 and as. The frame members 54 and 56 overlie and are secured to the transverse frame members 22, 46, 48 and 30. It is to be noted that the roller unit 52 is longer than the supporting frame 12 so as to project beyond opposite ends thereof.

The roller unit 52 also includes a plurality of rollers 58. The rollers 58 are disposed in offset staggered relation, as is best shown in Figure 3. The rollers 58 are disposed in two groups with one of the groups being carried by frame 54 and the opposite group carried by the frame member 56. The individual rollers 58 are supported by shaft forming bolts 60, as is best shown in Figure 6.

Extending vertically from an intermediate portion of the frame member 54 is a front guide unit which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 62. front guide unit 62 includes a pair of uprights 64 and 66 which have their lower ends secured to the frame member 54. The upper ends of the uprights 64 and 66 are sonnected together by a longitudinal e member 68,

Disposed intermediate the frame member 54 and the frame rail 34 is a longitudinal frame member whose opposite ends are secured to the transverse frame members 46 and 415. The frame member 71) is connected to the frame member 54 in reinforcing relation by means of a pair of transverse members 72 which overlie the frame members 46 and Also extending between the frame members 54 and 7d are intermediate frame members 74.

The frame member 63 is braced relative to the supporting frame 12 by diagonal braces 76 which extend upwardly from the frame members '72 at their intersection with the frame member 70.

In order to facilitate the guiding of a form, the guide unit 62 also includes a plurality of longitudinally extending guide strips 78 and 815 which are vertically spaced between the frame member 54 and the frame member 68. The guide strips '78 and 80 are provided with curved ends 82 and 34, respectively to facilitate the initial engagement of a form. The frame member 68 also functions as a guide strip and is provided at its ends with curved portions 86.

Carried by the frame member 56 is a rear guide unit 88. The rear guide unit 88 is taller than the front guide unit 62. As as best shown in Figure 7, the rear guide unit 88 includes a pair of uprights 9t) and 92 at opposite ends thereof. The lower ends of the uprights 9t) and 92 are secured to the frame member 56. The upper ends of the uprights 9% and 92 are connected together by longitudinal frame member 94. Also, there are provided uprights 96 and intermediate the uprights 9t and 92. The lower ends of the uprights 96 and 98 are connected to the frame member 56 in the vicinity of the transverse frame members 46 and 48. The upper ends of the uprights 96 and 93 are secured to intermediate portions of the frame member 94. The uprights 9t) and 98 are braced by means of diagonal braces 100 whose lower ends are secured to the frame rail 36.

In order that the guide unit 88 may properly function as a guide, there is secured to the uprights 9t) and 96 a plurality of longitudinally extending guide strips 102, 104 and 106. In order to facilitate the engagement and disengagement of a form with the guide strips 102, 104 and 106 they are provided with curved ends 108. Also the left end of the frame member 94 is provided with a curved end portion 119. Extending between the uprights 98 and 92 are a plurality of guide strips 112, 114 and 116. These guide strips are ali' ned with the guide strips 102, 184 and 186, respectively. The guide strips 112, 114 and 116 terminate in curved ends 118. Also, the right hand end of the frame member 94 terminates in a curved end portion 128.

In order that a form to be cleaned, such as the form 122 illustrated in Figure l, may be moved between the guide units 62 and 88, there are provided drive means in the form of an endless conveyor chain 124. The endless conveyor chain 124 extends about the intermediate portion of the guide unit 62 and has the opposite ends thereof carried by sprockets 126 and 128. The sprocket 128 is an idler sprocket and is carried by a shaft 130 which is supported by a bracket 132 secured to the upright 66. The sprocket 126 is a drive sprocket and is carried by a drive shaft 134; which is journaled in brackets 136 and 138 carried by the upright 64.

The drive shaft 134 extends down through the frame member 54 beneath the upper part of the supporting frame 12 and has mounted thereon an enlarged drive pulley 141*. In order that the drive pulley 146 may be driven, there is provided a drive unit which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 142. The drive unit 142 includes a reduction gear box 144 which has coupled thereto an electric motor 146. The drive unit 142 is supported by a depending mounting plate 148 to which the reduction 'unit 144 is secured. The upper end of the plate 148 is secured to the frame member 71) intermediate 4 the frame member 74. The reduction unit 144 includes a drive shaft 150 carrying a drive pulley 152. The pulleys 140 and 152 are connected together by a drive belt 154.

It is to be noted that the conveyor chain 124 is guided in the vicinity of the braces 76 by means of a track 156 carried by the braces 76. Also, it is to be noted that the conveyor chain 124 carries a plurality of projecting drive fingers 158 for engaging the form 122.

Referring once again to Figure l in particular, it will be that the form 122 includes a face panel 160 which is reinforced by rearwardly projecting edges 162 at the upper and lower edges thereof and by reinforcing flanges 164 at the ends thereof. Also, the face panel 160 is reinforced intermediate its ends by uprights 166 secured to the rear surface thereof. The drive fingers 158 engage the flanges 164 and the reinforcing members 166 to move the form 122 through the guide 50.

in order to facilitate the cleaning of the lower edge of the form 122, there is provided a power unit 168. The power unit 168 is mounted within the confines of the supporting frame 12 and is carried by a vertically disposed mounting plate 170 which is secured to the frame member 56. The mounting plate 170 is braced by a diagonal brace 172 which extends downwardly from the frame rail 36. The power unit 168 is clamped in place by means of a clamp member 174, as is best shown in Figure 2. The power unit 168 includes a drive shaft 17-6 which is vertically disposed and which carries an upwardly projecting cup shaped brush 178. It is to be noted that the roller unit 52 has the rollers 58 thereof interrupted to permit the brush 178 to project upwardly therebetween. Thus when the form 122 is passed through the guide 50, the lower edge thereof rides over the brush 178. Since the brush 178 is rotating, the lower edge of the form 122 will be suitably cleaned. Hereinafter the brush 178 will be considered a second brush means.

Referring now to Figure 5 in particular, it will be seen that there are illustrated first brush means in the form of a brush unit which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 180. The brush unit 180 includes a frame 182 carried by the uprights 96 and 98. The frame 182 includes a pair of horizontal frame members 184 which have first ends secured together by a vertical frame member 186. The second ends of the frame members 184 are pivotally connected to support arms 188 by means of pivot bolts 190. The support arms 188 extend rearwardly from the upright 96.

Carried by the frame 182 is a channel shaped brush holder 192 which is vertically disposed. The brush holder 192 is adjustably secured to the frame members 184 by means of support arms 194 and bolts 196. The bolts 196 pass through the frame members 184 and are selectively passed through one of a plurality of apertures 198 formed in the support arms 194. Secured to the brush holder 192 by welding 200 is a second brush holder 222. The brush holder 192 extends above the brush holder 2112 and the brush holder 2112 depends below the brush holder 192 so that the two are in staggered rehtion. Removably mounted in the brush holders 192 and 2112 by means of screws 294 are fixed brush elements 266. The brush elements 266 are in the form of conventional wire brushes having wooden backings 268, as

is best shown in Figure 8. As is best shown in Figure 7, the brush elements 286 are vertically spaced and so staggered whereby they provide a continuous brushing surface which will engage the face of the panel 122 to properly clean it as it passes through the guide 58..

in order to properly position the brush elements 206, for engagement with the form 122, the frame member 186 of the frame 182 is provided with an ear 218. The

, ear 211) is aligned with an ear 212 carried by the upright 98. Extending between the ears 210 and 212 is a clamping fastener 214 which will hold the frame 182 against rearward movement and thus permit positioning of the brush elements 2% as is necessary.

Any suitable type of control may be used for operating the cleaning machine 10. However, as is shown in Figure 2, there is provided a control box 216 which is secured to the guide unit 88. The control box 216 has connected thereto a lead wire 218 from the electric motor 146. Also, the power unit 165 is provided with a lead wire 2% which is coupled into the control box 216. It is to be understood that the control box 216 will be provided with a suitable switch mechanism so that the operation of the cleaning machine ltl may be manually controlled.

When it is desired to clean a form, such as the form 122, it is merely necessary to energize the power unit 163 and the electric motor 146. Then a form to be cleaned is placed on edge on the ri ht end of the roller unit 52 and manually pushed into position at the entrance of the guide as. The form 122 will then be engaged by the drive fingers 158 and automatically moved between the guide 50 and cleaned by the bushes 173 and 206. While two men are normally required for the efficient operation of the cleaning machine li it will be seen that the cleaning operation may be a continuous one with one man placing the forms into the cleaning machine It) and the other man taking the forms out of the cleaning machine It). However, because of the fact that the cleaning machine will quickly clean the forms, it will be seen that a great reduction in labor is obtained with the cleaning machine lid.

The foregoing is considered illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A machine for cleaning panel type forms, comprising a support assembly, a pair of vertical guide structures fixed to said support and disposed in horizontally spaced relation to each other to define a passageway therebetween, each of said guide structures including an elongate base member having a vertical leg, said legs being disposed in spaced parallel relation and each journalling a series of supporting rollers thereon for supporting a panel type form for movement through said passageway, one of said guide structures carrying a plurality of fixed brushes facing the other guide structure for engaging the face of a form moving through said passageway, drive means mounted on said other guide structure for imparting movement to a form, said drive means including a pair of sprockets mounted at opposite ends of said other guide structure for rotation about vertical axes and an endless chain trained about said sprockets in encircling relation to said other guide structure, means for rotating one of said sprockets, and said chain having a plurality of lugs projecting there ram for engaging and moving a panel type form thi passageway.

2. A machine for cleaning panel type forms, comprising a support assembly, a pair of vertical guide structures to said support and disposed in her zoutally spaced relation to each other to define a passageway therebetween, each of said guide structures including an elon gate base member having a vertical leg, said being disposed in spaced parallel relation and each journalling a series of supporting rollers thereon for supporting a panel type form for movement through said passageway, one of said guide structures carrying a plurality of fixed brushes facing the other guide structure for engaging the face of a form moving through said L a sage drive means mounted on said other guide structure for imparting movement to a form, said drive including a pair of sprockets mounted at opposite ends of said other guide structure for rotation about vertical and an endless chain trained about saic sprockets in encircling relation to said other guide structure, mms for rotating one of said sprockets, and said chain having a plurality of lugs projecting therefrom for engaging and moving a panel type form through said passageway, and a driven rotary brush mounted on said support and including a brush head projecting upwardly between said rollers.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES 'PATENTS 1,448,062 Krupeany Mar. 13, 1923 2,335,118 Hauser et al. Nov. 23, 1943 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,134,990 France Dec. 10, 1956 

